Influence of carbon on the giant magnetocaloric effect of LaFe11.7Si1.3

The influences of carbon on phase formation, Curie temperature, and magnetic entropy change of the NaZn13-type LaFe11.7Si1.3 were investigated. Seven carbon-containing alloys, LaFe11.7Si1.3Cx, with x = 0, 0.03, 0.06, 0.10, 0.20, 0.30, and 0.50, respectively, were prepared for this investigation. Experimental results show that addition of a small amount of carbon in LaFe11.7Si1.3 is favorable for the formation of the NaZn13-type structure of LaFe11.7Si3Cx. The lattice constant increases with C addition and x increases in the alloy because of the introduction of C as interstitial atoms. The Curie temperature of LaFe11.7Si1.3Cx increases from 194 K to 225 K as x increases from 0 to 0.5. Large magnetic entropy changes were observed in these carbon-containing alloys LaFe11.7Si3Cx because of their first-order structural/magnetic transition. The maximum magnetic entropy change of 27.5 J·kg−1K−1 at 202 K for the 0-1.56 T magnetic field change was observed in the alloy with x = 0.06. The large magnetic-entropy changes corresponding to low magnetic field change, and the low cost of the material of LaFe11.7Si1.3Cx makes it a promising candidate to be used as magnetic refrigerants in the corresponding temperature range.